Season 3

The complexity of the prevailing situation in Afghanistan is still far from settled. What has complicated matters is the dire state of the Afghan economy. Because of restrictions on banking services, UN sanctions regime 1267, and its subsequent follow-ups, the economic activity in Afghanistan has shrunk considerably.

Guests:  Mr. Saleem Safi

The global economic crisis has affected all countries in South Asia. They initially responded to the supply shock by a combination of fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate the impact and support economic growth but Sri Lanka couldn’t manage well. Bangladesh also sought IMP loans, the Indian currency got hit, and Afghanistan’s economic collapse is a different story.

Guests: Mr. Shahbaz Rana, Dr Noor Fatima

South Asia does not fit the trend of global democratic triumph; democracy has neither been fully consolidated nor has the economic conditions that are expected to give solid foundations to democracy being achieved. The meaning of democracy in South Asia varies. Each country, region, and group share a different conception of what democracy means, determined by their own culture, their colonial and/or national histories, and present-day politics.

Guests: Tahir Malik and Yashfeen Jamal

Sports are increasingly becoming a part of the peace builder's toolkit worldwide. In South Asia sports can also bring societies and people together towards a common goal, while promoting respect and community with others.

Guests: Yasir Hameed and Abiha Haider

The rapidly emerging climatic changes are one of the biggest threats to the sustainability of life on Earth. The phenomenon of global warming is a major cause of environmental degradation. In Pakistan, climatic changes are having wide-ranging impacts, such as reduced agricultural productivity, increased variability of water availability, increased coastal erosion and seawater incursion, and increased frequency of extreme climatic events

Guests: Ameera Adil and Dr. Ejaz Hussain

This relationship between Pakistan and China has built on the strength of its successive achievements, and has become formidable with each passing day and year. The leadership of both countries is committed to taking this relationship forward. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a multi-dimensional development project that offers a unique opportunity to Pakistan for equitable and sustainable development.

Guests: Hamayoun Khan and Shakeel Ramey

The United States faces many problems regarding the credibility of its proposal to promote democracy in the Middle East: its policies on regional issues, its bias in favor of ruling elites, and its lack of understating of many variables and domestic factors led to many unsuccessful attempts to have a sustainable democracy.

Guest: Professor Jason Brownlee

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April and continue to push Russia out and its people and forces are showing utmost resilience in the face of adversity.

Guests: Anas Mallick and Safdar Sial

People voted in the US midterm elections on 8 November 2022 to choose who will control the House of Representatives and the Senate. What are the implications of these elections for the internal politics of the USA and what are the external dynamics of these elections in the world?

Guests: Dr Munawar Hussain and Asma Iqbal

Iran's Hijab Protests have gripped the attention of the international community. In this spotlight, Iranians have proved persistent in their resistance. Iranian people are entering a new phase in which the inevitable, steady, and intergenerational secularisation of the Iranian people are coming head to head with the Islamist regime, there are internal as well external variables at play now. In the past two months, the world has witnessed the violence that is an inevitable by-product of this new dynamic, but the international community must understand the relationship between Iranians and the regime better than it currently does.

Guests: Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri and Fraz Naqvi

Fake news is one of the biggest challenges that societies face in this day and age is the rapid spread of propaganda, facilitated by social media and communications platforms. This is not a new phenomenon. However, new technologies and means of communication have meant that false information can now be spread at a faster, more alarming rate than ever before and it will have serious consequences for all of us.

Guests: Dr Farooq Adil and Arshad Malik

Afghan refugees in Pakistan have limited access to work, housing, and education, and without legal protections, they are targets of discrimination and harassment. Growing anti-refugee sentiment has exacerbated the problem specially Post-Russian War on Ukraine the international community as been paying less attention to Afghanistan issues and its refugees. UNHCR, the main body responsible for refugee status is also doing its utmost to help while facing many logistical as well as financial issues.

Guests: Faiza Zeerak and Qaiser Khan Afridi

Religious intolerance and sectarian violence have affected the emotions of hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims in some Muslim societies and Pakistan is no exception. All of this can end if Muslims learn the real meaning of Islam which is harmony with all cultures and religions since the present world has become a globalized society where diverse cultures are existing.

Guests: Hina Chaudhry and Ahmed Ali

Women worldwide continue to live in societies that provide them unequal opportunities to succeed. In many parts of the world, women are less valued than men and at times their rights are violated leaving them with little recourse. On the positive side, we see progress in many important dimensions, such as increased participation in the economy and leadership globally.

Guests: Hira Mustafa and Sabooh Syed

Social assistance should be seen as a means to reduce poverty and to develop the capabilities of the most vulnerable, increasing social and economic participation and equality of opportunity.

Guests: Faisal Kareem Kundi